Chiropractic patient compensation claims in Norway from 2013 to 2024

Compensation claims represent a selective subset of adverse events in healthcare and provide insight into patient safety. Compensation claims vary between countries and jurisdictions due to administrative, legal, and clinical differences. This study aimed to describe compensation claims related to chiropractic consultations in Norway from 2013 to 2024.

We conducted a retrospective registry study using data from the Norwegian System of Patient Injury Compensation and national chiropractic consultation data. All completed claims associated with chiropractic care between 2013 and 2024 were included regardless of whether they were approved or rejected. Claim frequencies were calculated per 100,000 consultations and per first-assessment consultations. Descriptive analyses were used to summarise results.

A total of 147 claims were filed during the study period, of which 17 (12%) were approved. Over 24 million chiropractic consultations were recorded for the period, corresponding to an average annual claim approval rate of 0.1 per 100,000 consultations and 0.5 per 100,000 first-assessment consultations. Most claims involved musculoskeletal conditions (89%). High approval proportions were observed for claims related to central nervous system and circulatory disturbances (60%). The most common reasons for rejection were lack of causation and absence of healthcare failure. Total compensation amounted to 21.7 million Norwegian Kroner (~ 2.2 million Euros).

Compensation claims related to chiropractic care in Norway are rare relative to consultation volume, and only a small proportion were approved. Most claimants presented with common musculoskeletal conditions, while approved cases often involve serious events temporally associated with chiropractic consultations. These findings contribute updated national evidence on compensation claims in chiropractic practice and may inform quality improvement and policy.